Shloka 5
Jaratkāru-nirukti and Parīkṣit’s forest encounter (जরত्कारुनिरुक्तिः—परिक्षिद्वनप्रसङ्गः)
तप्यमानं तपो घोरं त॑ ददर्श पितामह: । संशुष्कमांसत्वक्स्नायुं जटाचीरधरं मुनिम्,ब्रह्माजीने देखा, शेषनाग घोर तप कर रहे हैं। उनके शरीरका मांस, त्वचा और नाड़ियाँ सूख गयी हैं। वे सिरपर जटा और शरीरपर वल्कल वस्त्र धारण किये मुनिवृत्तिसे रहते हैं। उनमें सच्चा धैर्य है और वे निरन्तर तपमें संलग्न हैं। यह सब देखकर ब्रह्माजी उनके पास आये और बोले--'शेष! तुम यह क्या कर रहे हो? समस्त प्रजाका कल्याण करो
tapyamānaṃ tapo ghoraṃ taṃ dadarśa pitāmahaḥ | saṃśuṣkamāṃsatvak-snāvyuṃ jaṭācīradharaṃ munim ||
Śaunaka disse: O Avô (Brahmā) o viu entregue a uma austeridade feroz—carne, pele e tendões ressequidos, com cabelos emaranhados e vestes de casca de árvore, vivendo como um asceta. Ao ver tamanha firmeza e constante absorção na penitência, Brahmā aproximou-se e lhe falou, exortando-o a voltar esse poder para o bem de todos os seres, e não para uma severidade que o consumia.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Austerity (tapas) gains power, but its highest dharmic use is not self-harm or mere display of endurance; it should be directed toward the welfare and stability of the world. Brahmā’s intervention frames tapas as responsibility—spiritual strength must serve lokasaṃgraha (the good of all beings).
Śaunaka narrates that Brahmā (the Grandsire) notices an ascetic—understood here as Śeṣa—performing extremely harsh penance, emaciated and clad in ascetic attire. Moved by the severity and its implications, Brahmā approaches to question him and to redirect his effort toward universal well-being.